When the rookie guard hears a play call or sees a defensive alignment, he processes it quicker than he did in the spring. His technique once a play begins is more advanced, too. Footwork, for example, was too flat a few months ago on outside zone run plays. Those steps recently have been more on point.

Watt looks more comfortable in training camp.

It is not by accident.

The Chargers third-round pick worked predominately with the starters at right guard the past two practices. While too much can be made of such reps in July, there is no discounting what Watt has done with them. The former three-year starter at Notre Dame has shown the mental makeup to handle the transition to the NFL, a trend that can continue Wednesday when the team returns to the field.

Players were given an off-day Tuesday.

The 2:50 to 5 p.m. practice, closed to the general public, is open to select season-ticket holders.

"He played in a lot of big games in college, obviously, coming from where he came from, so it doesn’t surprise us at all," coach Mike McCoy said of Watt's development. "We’re going to move guys around, mix guys up in that lineup and let them work together, but he’s a smart young player that’s worked extremely hard, and he’s done everything that (position coaches) Joe (D'Alessandris) and Andrew (Dees) have asked up to this point in time."

Watt said Monday he planned to make the most of the off-day

While a veteran can afford to shut things down, he sought to balance the need for rest with refining his game. He studied film on his iPad, focusing first on his technique. Then, he monitored how center Nick Hardwick and backup Rick Ohrnberger handled various defensive looks.

"I want to make sure I'm on the same page as them because those guys are so great at what they do," Watt said. "I'm trying to pick their brain as much as I can right now."

Watt is learning center as well as right guard.

With the latter, he and Johnnie Troutman are competing to be the first option off the bench. That could mean starting the Sept. 8 season opener should right guard Jeromey Clary, on the active Physically Unable to Perform List following hip surgery, be unavailable. Clary said last week he "definitely" believes he'll be back for the game while acknowledging that a tight window allows minimal room for a setback.

Watt wants to continue to earn confidence from coaches.

Coming back Wednesday a better player than when he left Monday, he knows, can only help.

"Especially for a rookie, they want to see that improvement every day," Watt said. "I'm just trying to do that as much as possible."